Modules are used to organize course content by weeks, units, or whatever organizational structure works for your course. With modules, you are essentially creating a one-directional linear flow of what you would like your students to do.
Instructors can choose to lock a module until a given date or control the order that students move through modules by setting prerequisites and requirements for viewing each module. You can also force students to move through the modules in the required sequential order.
The following support articles explain the process of setting up modules, prerequisites, and requirements:
How do I create a new Modules?
How do I set up prerequisite Modules?
How do I add requirements to a Module?
Once prerequisites and requirements have been set in course modules, instructors can view the student progress. The following support articles explain the tracking process.
How do I view the progress of my students in Modules?
Why can't I access a Module?